CRTC approves Bell Media acquisition of V
By Adnews Staff
The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission has approved Bell Media’s acquisition of the conventional television network V along with related digital assets from Groupe V Média. The agreement includes the ad-supported video-on-demand service Noovo.ca. According to Bell, the acquisition is intended to strengthen its presence in Quebec. Groupe V Média operates television stations in Montreal, Quebec City, Saguenay, Sherbrooke and Trois-Rivières. It also has affiliate stations in Gatineau, Rivière-du-Loup and Val-d'Or. Bell and Groupe V entered into this acquisition agreement in July of last year.
“With this timely approval, Bell is now one step closer to ensuring the long-term viability of V at a critical moment for the broadcasting industry,” said Karine Moses, president of Bell Media Québec. “This is a new era for the Quebec television ecosystem that will see Bell Media add new opportunities for French-language content creation and deliver enhanced news programming. We look forward to building on our investment in Quebec content and culture with V.”